Three journalists were honoured by PII and ICRC for excellence in conflict documentation on October 7 at New Delhi.

South-Asian Centre for Journalists Reporting Conflict (SCJRC) instituted awards for the best article in Indian media on humanitarian issues/values in print on the thematic "Reporting the fate of victims in situations of armed violence." This was jointly organised by Press Institute of India (PII), Chennai, and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), New Delhi.

Journalists are finding it difficult to understand the issues at the root of violence and report about it. Furthermore they are finding that they become targets in situations marked by armed violence. Many such cases of kidnappings and killings of journalists are reported year after year. Lack of knowledge of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and Human Rights Law prevent journalists from drawing all necessary elements of analysis needed to report on conflict or violent situations.

South-Asian Centre for Journalists Reporting Conflict (SCJRC) aims at sensitising Indian journalists on the existing rules and norms of conflict, the role played by media while reporting conflict, safe practices and the management of dangerous assignments.

PII - ICRC Awards on the thematic "Reporting on the fate of victims in situations of armed violence" attracted numerous entries from across the country but it was T Ajeesh of Malayala Manorama who walked away with the First Prize of Rs 50, 000 for his article titled 'Kannur that still bleeds.'

The Second Prize was awarded to Raghu Amay Karnad from Tehelka for his article 'The hunting party returns’ that carried a cash prize of Rs 30, 000 and Mohammed Wajihuddin of Times of India took home prize money of Rs 20, 000 as third prize for his article 'Outside the Ghetto.'

V Murali, Director, PII and Francois Stamm, Head of Delegation, ICRC gave away the prizes to the winners. The prize distribution function was held at Amaltas, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi on October 6, which was preceded by a Panel Discussion for about an hour on the topic - "Humanitarian stories in media are shrinking" moderated Harish Khare, Senior Associate Editor, The Hindu.

The panellists included Harinder Baweja, Editor - News and Investigation, Tehelka, Sashi Kumar - Chairman Media Development Foundation & Head - Asian College of Journalism and C Jayaraj - Supreme Court Lawyer, author and expert on International Humanitarian Law.

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